 Happy Spring!
It's a lovely time of year where we've been out regularly celebrating women's philanthropy in the community with many of you. This, is the power of a giving circle. You are the women engaged in the important work of the WGC that supports women and girls in our community throughout the year. Read the full April 2024 eNewsletter here In fact, I hope you will join us for WGC's Mother's Day Happy Hour on Wednesday, May 1, 5:30 pm at Bra la la. We'll sip, shop, and connect with WGC Advisory Board members and donors. And, you'll have a chance to win a gift from Bra la la. A portion of all proceeds will go to support the WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive. Bra la la is a WGC Feminine Hygiene Product Drive partner, and hosts a bin in the store - we invite you to bring products to donate. There is no fee to attend, but we ask that you register here. And, I hope you will join the Women's Giving Circle, Horizon Foundation, Community Foundation of Howard County, and United Way of Central Maryland for the Changemaker Challenge on Tuesday, May 7, 6:00 pm. The Changemaker Challenge 2024 is a social innovation competition to highlight and award ideas in Howard County where we will give out $100K - think “Shark Tank” for social change! This biennial event awards funding for project ideas that promise to make a difference in Howard County and this year we have some amazing finalists. And, one $10k award will go to a project geared toward women and girls or pitched by a woman! Click here to register to join us virtually to view the LIVE 2024 Changemaker Challenge event at The Collective Encore. Please contact WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on May 1 and having you join us virtually on May 7! Jennifer Bodensiek WGC Advisory Board Chair [email protected] www.wgchowardcounty.org
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 By Julia A. McCready Village Green/Town² I’ve been listening to this episode of Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast: Go To on Infectious Generosity, For the Good of the Order, Kelly Corrigan When my girls were young, I must have told them a hundred times: you get what you give. I believe it like I believe the sun will rise tomorrow. Chris Anderson, the genius do-gooder behind TED, believes it too. And with good reason. He’s seen generous giving pay off in big ways — giving his brand to TEDx conferences around the world, giving away TED speeches to anyone who wanted them online, giving attention, support and contributions to the most focused, devoted, strategic efforts on the planet. This is an episode for anyone looking for inspiration. Chris Anderson’s book, Infectious Generosity* shines a spotlight on how acts of giving can spark a ripple effect in cultivating positive societal change. Howard County is full of examples of infectious generosity these days. Initiatives that are alive in the community through sharing goods, services, experiences, and learning include Columbia Community Care, The 3rd, The Community Ecology Insitute, Sobar, Inner Arbor Trust/Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, The Howard County Library System, Howard County Lynching Truth & Reconciliation, groups like CARY - - Community Allies of Rainbow Youth, HCPSS Pride, and HoCo Pride, The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. The way in which these groups operate and interact locally is significantly different than traditional “charitable giving” models or straight business models. All give ordinary human beings an opportunity to engage, give meaningful input, learn new skills/have new and transformative experiences. It’s not simply about sending an “ask letter” and expecting a check in return. I am convinced that this way of engaging is making a big impact in the community by making deeper and more lasting impressions. The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is gearing up for The Big Give. Have you seen their posts? (below) This year marks the third WGC Big Give and you can learn more about it at their website. (My apologies that I haven’t written about this sooner, as today is the deadline if you want to participate.) What I like about this initiative is that it truly taps into that idea of Infectious Generosity. WGC is giving a learning experience - - How do I learn about grantmaking? How can I impact the needs of women and girls in Howard County as a small giver? How do giving circles transform that giving process? Participants will make meaningful decisions that result in real world community grants of their choosing. Past grantees include Bridges to Housing Stability, Columbia Community Care, Girls on the Run, Grassroots, HopeWorks, and the Howard Community College Educational Foundation. Another great example to put on your calendar now is United Way’s Changemaker Challenge, to be held May 7th. There are a variety of local sponsors for this event. Notice that WGC is one of them. They’ll be giving away 100,000 dollars to support innovative ideas for social impact in Howard County. The Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, Women’s Giving Circle and Community Foundation of Howard County are igniting and recognizing new and continued innovation in our community with the Changemaker Challenge. Think “Shark Tank” for social change! This biennial event awards funding for project ideas that promise to make a difference in Howard County. That’s why our theme for the 2024 Changemaker Challenge is – Innovate. Cultivate. Uplift. - - Changemaker Challenge I watched the online Live Event in 2021 and it lifted my spirits in during a really challenging time in our community. I’m looking forward to May 7th and will give you more information when I have it. (below) Are you seeing what I’m seeing? Can you envision how all of this can spark a ripple effect in cultivating positive societal change? Read more Village Green/Town² blog posts here  The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County was in the house at a wonderful brunch with a room full of amazing women, led by Columbia Inspired Magazine Publisher Anika Baty-Mills. A number of WGC Advisory Board members, leaders, donors, and partners were in the room, and were on the cover of one of Columbia Inspired's recent magazine covers! Thank you for bringing us together, highlighting stories, elevating health and wellness, and building community - we are proud to partner with you.
Join us at the 2024 Changemaker Challenge on Tuesday, May 7 at the Collective Encore!
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"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving." - Jennifer Bodensiek, Chair
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